STEWART DOWNING was the unlikely Kop hero as Liverpool saw off mega-rich Russians Anzhi at Anfield.
The much-maligned winger was moved to left-back in the second half after an anonymous first 45.
But Downing silenced his critics with a right-footed belter which was enough to secure the win for the Reds.
With Udinese going down to Young Boys in Bern, the three points lifted Liverpool to the top of Group A.
And the win against Samuel Eto’o and Co gave Brendan Rodgers’ side a timely boost ahead of Sunday’s crunch Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
Rodgers fielded a strong team against Guus Hiddink’s men, including Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez despite the Everton game looming large.
The Reds were looking to bounce back from a 3-2 home defeat to Udinese in their previous Europa League outing and made a positive start.
Anzhi keeper Vladimir Gabulov was immediately involved, pushing away an effort by Glen Johnson before Jonjo Shelvey — scorer of three goals in the previous two group games — ballooned an attempt over the bar from the edge of the box.
Former Barca star Eto’o had been relatively quiet and Liverpool continued to carve out half-chances — Oussama Assaidi seeing Gabulov get behind his strike to the near post and then catching his free-kick.
Johnson found himself through on goal but failed to get a shot in and took a tumble under the attentions of Kamil Agalarov, with the referee waving the Reds defender’s penalty claims away.
Nuri Sahin headed a corner over and Daniel Agger was next to make a foray forward from defence, trying his luck from distance with an effort that curled high and wide.
Anzhi registered an attempt on goal in first-half stoppage-time when Fedor Smolov fizzed the ball across Brad Jones and wide.
Rodgers added new impetus to his attack at the interval by introducing Raheem Sterling for Johnson and moving Downing into defence.
And there were encouraging signs for Liverpool with Martin Skrtel’s powerful drive bringing a save out of Gabulov before Gerrard headed Shelvey’s cross wide.
The Reds kept up the pressure and moments later they made the breakthrough as Downing cut in from out wide and smashed the ball into the net.
Suarez almost swiftly added another with a strike that went just the wrong side of the post, and Shelvey then sent a shot into Gabulov’s arms.
With the lead still only at 1-0, though, Liverpool could not afford to switch off at the back and they survived a scare in the 70th minute when defensive sloppiness saw the ball come to Eto’o, whose effort was saved by Brad Jones.
Agger thought he had doubled Liverpool’s advantage when he headed the ball from Gabulov’s hand and lashed in, but he only picked up a booking.
Anzhi issued further warnings, with Skrtel making a goal-line clearance to deny Mehdi Carcela and substitute Lacina Traore striking wide.
Gerrard then fired over and Carcela struck wide at the other end before the full-time whistle confirmed Liverpool’s win.
Liverpool: Jones, Wisdom, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson (Sterling 46), Gerrard, Sahin, Shelvey (Allen 80), Downing, Suarez, Assaidi. Subs Not Used: Gulacsi, Henderson, Carragher, Fernandez Saez, Yesil.
Booked: Suarez, Agger.
Goals: Downing 53.
Anzhi Makhachkala: Vladimir Gabulov, Agalarov (Logashov 61), Samba, Joao Carlos, Zhirkov, Shatov, Georgi Gabulov, Boussoufa (Lakhiyalov 77), Carcela-Gonzalez, Eto’o, Smolov (Traore 64). Subs Not Used: Pomazan, Gadzhibekov, Tagirbekov, Mukhammad.
Booked: Samba,Agalarov.
Att: 39,358
Ref: Bas Nijhuis (Holland).
LIVERPOOL: Jones 6, Wisdom 7, Skrtel 7, Agger 7, Johnson 8 (Sterling 7); Gerrard 6, Sahin 6, Shelvey 6 (Allen 7); Downing 6, Suarez 7, Assaidi 8. Not used: Gulacsi, Henderson, Carragher, Suso, Yesil. Booked: Suarez, Agger.
